My Favorite Non-Toxic Makeup Products
I’ve always had issues when it comes to makeup. My skin is pretty sensitive and easily irritated, and many makeup products with fragrances or harsh chemicals can really do a number on my skin. And that’s kind of a bummer because most of the widely available products are formulated with these ingredients. That said, non-toxic makeup products, formulated with natural and organic ingredients, usually don’t cause issues for me.
I’ve been a beauty editor for a while now. I’ve tried a million and one different makeup brands on my skin. Some were harmless, and others were hazardous, containing harmful chemicals and toxic ingredients like phthalates. Even when you work in the beauty industry, it can be confusing to navigate the wild word of products. How do you know what’s organic, clean, or non-toxic? Are you favorite brands actually good for you or should you start shopping elsewhere? We don’t want to alarm you, so we’ve provided some insight for you here.
Below, you’ll find my favorite non-toxic makeup products and beauty brands that I continue to reach for again and again!
Best Non-Toxic Makeup Products
What Is Non-Toxic Makeup?
There is no specific definition for a “non-toxic” beauty product, especially in the beauty industry. For most, non-toxic makeup refers to products that don’t contain ingredients that have been shown to be toxic to the human body, or even carcinogenic (cancer-causing). In the United States, the FDA doesn’t regulate cosmetics—it’s the wild, wild West when it comes to what you can actually put into your products.
Non-toxic makeup are products that are usually labeled “clean” or “organic” and don’t contain harmful ingredients.
Which Ingredients in Makeup Are Toxic?
It’s kinda scary how little regulation there is for cosmetic products in the United States. Especially compared to other parts of the world. The EU has pretty strict standards when it comes to what, exactly, you can put into cosmetic products.
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), there are twelve toxic chemicals that should be banned from cosmetics in the United States but haven’t been. Some of these ingredients include:
- Formaldehyde
- Paraformaldehyde
- Isobutyl and isopropyl parabens
- M- and o-phenylenediamine
- Dibutyl and diethylhexyl phthalates
- Methylene glycol
- Quaternium 15
- Mercury
- The long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS
When purchasing non-toxic makeup, make sure you look out for these ingredients and avoid them! Whenever you can, opt for organic makeup and personal care products. After all, what good is a beauty routine if you’re inadvertently harming your body?
My Favorite Non-Toxic Makeup Products
Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation
I’ve been using the Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation for 300 years and it never fails me. It only has four ingredients (no skin irritants!) and they are all very safe. The powder foundation comes in 45 shades and I love the buildable coverage. This foundation has never once irritated my skin or broken me out, and I love how gentle it is.
Available on Amazon
Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer
The highlighter from Tower 28 Beauty is stunning. I get compliments on my skin every time I wear this highlighter in the shade Sun Coast. Normally, champagne/white highlighters look better on my pale skin than golden-toned highlighters, but this pick blends into my cheekbones so well. Also, for what it’s worth, Tower 28 is one of my favorite clean makeup brands.
Available on Sephora
Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm
This is a lovely, extremely creamy lip balm that adds a beautiful burst of color. It comes in eight shades that complement so many different skin tones. The upside is that it feels really buttery and soft on your lips. The downside is that the bullet is flat (rather than molded at an angle), so it’s harder to apply a precise application around your lips without getting some of it outside your lip line. That said, we’re fully behind Ilia because the brand is cruelty-free—which a lot of conventional makeup brands can’t say.
Available on Sephora
RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush
This blush goes on like a powder but feels more like a gel—and it is so gorgeous. It comes in six shades and looks really beautiful on all skin tones. It offers a stunning sheen on the cheeks, so if you prefer a matte look, this blush is not for you. If you want a nice glow with color, the RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush is a great option. I always skip highlighter when I use this blush as it basically acts as a blush and highlighter in one.
Available on Anthropologie
Ogee Crystal Contour Collection
I bought this a few months ago and have been using it daily since. I’ve never really used a ton of stick products before buying this set, but I’m surprised by how easy they are to use and apply. I wrote a whole review about how much I love these sticks here.
Available on Ogee Beauty
Iris & Romeo Ceramide Multi-Balm
OMG, every time I wear this blush, someone comments on my skin and says, “you look so pretty today” or “your makeup looks so good.” This multi-balm comes in three shades and can be used on your cheeks, lips, and eyelids. Personally, I prefer to only use it on my cheeks. It gives off a very dewy, almost tacky, finish and feel. It looks a little bit wet on your skin, so if you prefer a matte finish, this pick definitely is not for you. I have the shades Mood Boost and Rosy Glow and use both pretty often.
Available on Credo Beauty
MERIT The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
I’ve written about how much I love this lil stick before. The way this blends into the skin is truly to die for. I can barely tell it’s on my face when I wear it. I like to use it as a concealer to cover up blemishes and redness on my skin, and then just leave the rest of my face foundation-free. It’s nice to use as an everyday spot concealer when you don’t want to wear a ton of makeup.
Available on MERIT Beauty
Saie Slip Tint
This is a lovely formula that is clean and safe to use on sensitive skin. It comes in 14 shades and offers a little bit of sun protection, too. This tinted moisturizer gives off a very dewy finish and might feel/look greasy to some. Again, if you don’t like a dewy finish on your skin, you’re not gonna like this formula.
Available on Sephora
Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
I think the formula of this foundation is very similar to the Saie Slip Tint. It’s gentle, hydrating, and offers a very light coverage. It has a dewy finish and also comes in 14 shades. The Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation is great for the warmer summer months when you don’t want to put on a ton of foundation and need some SPF coverage, too. Plus you can feel good that you’re not shopping at one of those toxic makeup brands. This sunscreen is reef-safe.
Available on Sephora
RMS Beauty Luminizer
There’s nothing quite like this OG highlighter. It gives off the most gorgeous glow, is easy to apply and blend in, and comes in five shades. I use the shade Living Luminizer all the time on my cheekbones. The little pot has lasted me a long time, too.
Available on RMS Beauty
Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Blush
I love how creamy and hydrating these blushes look and feel. The Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Blush comes in seven shades and is very pigmented—a little goes a long way. You can use these on your lips, but I prefer to use them on just my cheeks.
Available on Sephora
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